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I turn around and come face to face with my landlady. Fitzy looks as jovial and full of energy as ever.
“Hey Fitz,” I greet her back.
“Whoa, what happened to you? You look like you were ran over by a semi.”
That pulls a small smile from me.
“I just had a wild night.”
She watches me closely.
“Okay. The man who did this to you? Turn my prim and proper Emma into a kiss-swollen, bed-haired woman? You hang on to that guy, hon. He may just be what you wished for this Christmas.”
Now, I can’t help but laugh.
“There’s more to it, Fitzy.”
She shakes her head.
“Trust this old lady, love. This spark I’m seeing in your eyes? That boy put it there. And you won’t make me believe it’s just from some good orgasms.”
I gasp, laughing again. She’s so irreverent.
“Fitzy!”
She shakes her head, expression serious.
“You know I’m right. He didn’t just touch your body, he touched your heart. I can see it in your eyes.”
“I… I gotta go. Maybe we’ll talk about it later. I’m sorry, it’s been a long night. I’m really tired.”
She nods.
“Okay, honey. You take care of yourself, now. and don’t forget what ole’ Fitz told you, yeah?”
I move my head up and down, then slide into the quiet sanctuary of my apartment. I look around and everything is just as I left it, less than twenty-four hours ago. But it’s me who’s irrevocably changed.
10
Alex
I wake up to an empty spot by my side. Predictable, but it still fucking kills me. I inhale deeply.Get your fucking shit together, Romano. Now’s not the time to feel defeated at the first fucking hurdle. You fucking found your woman. Fucking go for her.
I spend the next month making room in my life for Emma. I clean up as much of my business as I can, back out of as many shady dealings as I can afford, bury my money behind shell companies, give it an extra brush of squeakiness, and send it to even further tax havens.
I am the man I am. I will not change at my core, but for my girl, for the family we will build together, I won’t make it easy for anyone to take me down. Law or enemies from my world. I have a fucking reason to straighten my life now.
* * *
A whole fucking month, I haven’t seen Emma or heard the melodic sound of her voice. I’ve been like a lion in a cage. Pacing the halls of my house like a madman and obsessively reliving our night together… I exhale and close my eyes, latching on to the memory. It was beautiful, incredible.
But now is not the time to dwell on my even worse temper than usual, my outbursts to anyone who deserves my wrath. Today’s Christmas, the day I’m going to my girl.
I had Emma watched, every aspect of her life broken down for me. I know where her family lives in her home country, how much she pays for her place, what days off she has this week, and so much more. But I specifically know that she’s spending the holidays in Bourbon and is set to attend a party in her apartment complex today. So I’m waiting, lurking in my car parked across the street, watching the entrance to Fitzpatrick Place like a hawk.
When Emma appears at the gate, I jump out of the car and cross the street in a matter of seconds. A maelstrom of emotions crosses her face when she sees me. Relief, anger, desire… She latches on to her irritation, bringing her hands at her waist.
“What are you doing at my place, Mr Romano?”
